ATI RN
Contemporary Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is charged with battery after helping an invalid patient back to bed and not calling for help due to a reduced staffing level. The patient sustained excessive bruising, sore joints, and extended stay. In this case, the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the nurse is accountable due to the decreased level of staffing. The nurse's decision not to call for help despite knowing the reduced staffing level directly contributed to the patient's injuries. The nurse had a duty of care to ensure the patient's safety, and failing to do so resulted in harm to the patient. The nurse's actions were negligent and breached the standard of care expected in this situation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the focus of the question is on the nurse's accountability for the patient's injuries due to staffing levels, not on the patient being the plaintiff, forcefully restraining the patient without orders, or invasion of privacy. These options are not directly related to the nurse's negligence in failing to provide proper care to the patient.
Question 2 of 9
Which types of abuse are the nurse required to report or be subject to fines and imprisonment for not reporting? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Child abuse. Nurses are mandated reporters of child abuse, meaning they are legally required to report any suspected or witnessed cases to the appropriate authorities. Failure to report can result in fines and imprisonment. Child abuse is a serious issue that requires immediate intervention to protect the safety and well-being of the child. Explanation for incorrect choices: A: Animal abuse - While animal abuse is also a serious concern, nurses are not legally required to report it in the same way as child abuse. C: Alcohol abuse - Nurses may provide assistance and support for individuals struggling with alcohol abuse, but it is not a mandatory reporting requirement. D: Infant abuse - While abuse of infants falls under the category of child abuse, the specific term "infant abuse" is not a separate reporting requirement for nurses.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse who is participating in a health fair asks, "Other than nursing, what are some opportunities for careers in the health care professions, and what education is required?" The nurse informs participants that a baccalaureate degree is required as the minimum standard for the role of:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: nurse anesthetist. Nurse anesthetists require a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing as a prerequisite for their advanced practice role. They then need to complete a master's or doctoral program in nurse anesthesia. This advanced education and training enable nurse anesthetists to provide anesthesia care in various healthcare settings. Incorrect answers: A: Speech therapists require a master's degree in speech-language pathology. B: Occupational therapists require a master's degree in occupational therapy. C: Nurse-midwives require a master's degree in nurse-midwifery or a related field. In summary, the minimum education requirement of a baccalaureate degree aligns with the role of a nurse anesthetist, making choice D the correct answer.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse is very interested in learning more about health care economics and how she can use that knowledge to become a better patient advocate. She comments, "Nurses should not only deliver care one day at a time in one facility but should coordinate patient care as they move from acute care to rehabilitation to home care." This nurse would be a candidate for which nursing role?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: 1. The nurse's interest in coordinating patient care across different settings aligns with the role of a case manager. 2. Case managers focus on ensuring continuity of care and coordinating services for patients transitioning between different healthcare settings. 3. This role involves advocating for patients' needs and optimizing their health outcomes through seamless care transitions. Summary: A: DMP focuses on managing chronic illnesses, not coordinating care across settings. B: Utilization management nurses focus on determining appropriate reimbursement levels, not on care coordination. D: Reviewers for Managed Care Organizations focus on assessing medical necessity and cost-effectiveness, not on care coordination.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is interested in understanding the meaning of the human experience of surviving polio. Subject recruitment targets persons who have been diagnosed with the disease. The researcher reflects on the data and identifies common themes in order to understand the "lived experience." These characteristics are consistent with the qualitative research method known as:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: phenomenology. Phenomenology focuses on exploring and understanding individuals' lived experiences to uncover the essence of a phenomenon. In this case, the nurse is interested in understanding the meaning of surviving polio from the perspective of those diagnosed with the disease. By reflecting on the data and identifying common themes, the researcher aims to capture the essence of the human experience of surviving polio. Grounded theory (A) is a method used to develop theories from data, not necessarily focusing on the lived experience. Ethnography (B) involves studying cultures and societies, which is not directly aligned with understanding individual experiences. Case study (D) typically focuses on in-depth analysis of a specific individual or group, rather than exploring common themes across individuals' experiences.
Question 6 of 9
Which item below correctly describes the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predictions by 2020?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job growth rate for RNs will surpass job growth in all other occupations by 2020. This is supported by the increasing demand for healthcare services due to an aging population and advancements in medical technology. Choice A is incorrect as the need for registered nurses is expected to continue due to the complexity of patient care. Choice C is incorrect as the need for hospital nurses is projected to increase, not decrease. Choice D is incorrect as many hospitals still struggle to achieve the required RN workforce due to various factors like turnover and retention issues.
Question 7 of 9
An older adult client was admitted to the hospital with the condition classified as "pneumonia." Reimbursement was based on a predetermined fixed price. This classification system is referred to as:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: diagnosis-related groups (DRGs). This classification system assigns a fixed price to specific diagnoses or procedures, such as pneumonia, for reimbursement purposes. DRGs aim to standardize payment based on patient diagnosis and treatment, promoting efficiency and cost containment in healthcare. B: Subjective symptom management is not a classification system for reimbursement but rather a method of addressing patient symptoms. C: Acuity classification system refers to determining the level of care a patient needs based on severity, not reimbursement. D: Organized managed care involves coordination of healthcare services and providers, not specific classification for reimbursement.
Question 8 of 9
A community in the New Madrid fault zone experiences an earthquake resulting in injuries from propelled objects and abrasions for many victims. The local supply of antibiotics is quickly exhausted. Local authorities would contact the:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Strategic National Stockpile. This is because the Strategic National Stockpile is a federal repository of antibiotics, medical supplies, and equipment to respond to public health emergencies. In this scenario, the local supply of antibiotics is exhausted, so contacting the Strategic National Stockpile would provide the necessary antibiotics to treat the injured victims. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: A: The Commissioned Corps Readiness Force is a team of health professionals who can be deployed during public health emergencies, but they do not specifically store or distribute medical supplies like antibiotics. C: The Department of Homeland Security focuses on national security and disaster response, but they do not directly handle the distribution of medical supplies like antibiotics. D: The local Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is a community organization that is not equipped to provide medical supplies for emergency response situations like this earthquake scenario.
Question 9 of 9
In order to best improve patient outcomes on an acute care hospital unit, which intervention should the nursing staff advocate for?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because decreasing the number of patients cared for on a specific unit can improve patient outcomes by allowing nurses to provide more individualized care, reduce workload stress, and prevent errors. Staffing only 8-hour shifts (A) may not address the root cause of patient outcomes. Increasing salaries for experienced nurses (C) may improve retention but does not directly impact patient care. Increasing staffing on the evening shift (D) may help with workload distribution but does not address the overall patient load issue.